Alcohol Use Disorder and Suicidal Behavior: Understanding the Links
Official title: The Etiology of Risk: Alcohol Use Disorder and Suicidal Behavior
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11416403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant examines how alcohol use disorder may influence suicidal thoughts and actions, using large national data to uncover risk factors and pathways that could improve prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | May 20, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $359,178 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA027522-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416403 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder and related conditions, plus individuals with comorbid trauma exposure or major depression, in settings where registry-based risk profiling could be applied.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AUD or related risk factors may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will study Swedish national registry data to explore how alcohol use disorder relates to suicidal behaviors, including non-fatal attempts and suicide death. They will examine mediating pathways and compare the roles of AUD and major depression, with a focus on social dysfunction as a key factor. The project uses advanced methods to infer causality and build richer risk profiles to help identify who is most at risk and why. Results could inform better risk assessment and intervention strategies for people with AUD or related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better identification of individuals at high risk and inform targeted prevention and support strategies for those with AUD and related factors.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work using large population data has shown meaningful associations between AUD, trauma, and suicidal behavior, supporting the potential for actionable insights in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Edwards, Alexis C — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Edwards, Alexis C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Functional Connectivity-Guided TMS for Alcohol Use Disorder
A new approach uses targeted brain stimulation to help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent longer by focusing treatment on specific brain circuits.
-
Alcohol Use Disorder and Suicidal Behavior: Finding Why They Occur Together
A study using Swedish population data to understand why alcohol use disorder relates to suicidal thoughts and acts, with the goal of improving risk prediction and prevention.
-
Non-hallucinogenic psilocybin derivative for alcohol use disorder
A new, safer psilocybin-like compound is being studied to help people with alcohol use disorder.
-
Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
-
Mu and Kappa Opioid Balance in Alcohol Use Disorder
A study using brain imaging to understand how the brain’s opioid system changes during early sobriety in adults with alcohol use disorder.
-
Telehealth support to prevent suicide in people with alcohol use disorder in Tanzania
A telehealth counseling program is being adapted to help reduce suicide risk for people with alcohol use disorder in emergency departments in Tanzania.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.